EVERTON RESERVES, 2010-11

Evertons Reserve side
plays in the FA Barclays Premier Reserve League Northern Section but were even poorer than last season, finishing fourth out of five in their increasingly pointless Northern mini-group, with many of the second string players loaned out, ostensibly to save money!

Everton Reserves play their matches in Stobart Stadium, Widnes. Kick-off: usually 7 pm on Tuesdays except where indicated.

FA PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE

The FA Premier Reserve League (FAPRL) format has been messed around with yet again, with four clubs — Fulham, Spurs, Birmingham and Stoke withdrawing their teams and the Premier League Board approving a new Reserve League format for the 2010-11 season. Participating clubs are split into three regionalised groups as follows:

RESERVE LEAGUE FORMAT 2010-11

Southern Group

Northern Group A

Northern Group B

Arsenal

Bolton Wanderers

Blackburn Rovers

Aston Villa

Manchester City

Blackpool

Chelsea

Manchester United

Everton

West Bromwich Albion

Newcastle United

Liverpool

West Ham United

Wigan Athletic

Sunderland

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Each team plays home and away against the other teams in their group and once against all other teams (equally divided home and away). Teams in the Southern Group play a total of 20 matches and teams in the two Northern Groups play 19 matches each. The winners of the two Northern Groups will play off to determine the Northern League Winners. The Northern League Winners will then play off against the Southern Group Winners to determine the Barclays Premier Reserve League Play-Off Winners.

The Premier League Board has also given approval for clubs' training grounds to be used to stage fixtures.

Jan Mucha was called into action repeatedy during a torrid first half which Chelsea totally dominated after a glorious first-minute chance that Silva failed to convert. After that, it was one-way traffic and could have been a cricket score but fro some excellent wrk by the Slovakia national 'keeper. He was only beaten once, when Fabio Berinni was given too much space on the Everton right. Duffy in particl;uar was put undr ra lo of pressure but just about kept the defense together after that.

Gueye had a chance to score as welll, from a narrow angle, but his shot was within ange of the keeper who just about tipped it over.

Good defensive tackling by Mustafi prevented a Chelsea on the break. Great crosses from Gueye down the left, Vaughan just could not reach one to convert for an equalizer. Moments later Ross Barkley headed a lovely looping goal off an excelnt Baxter delivery to make it 1-1. Magaye Guey had looked particularly good for Everton in the first half, and went off on the hour mark for Nathan Craig.

A great free-kick was delivered by Baxter that Akpan forced Walker to save well. After that, Chelsea wereresurgent, and Barkley recieved a yellow card of a rather agressive sliding tackle. Another nice save from Mucha can from a drifting long-distance shot by Connor that would certainly have befuddled Tim Howard! He had to be alert for a low shot from fellow Slovakia Lalkovic as Chelsea looked to finish the game strongly.

Chelsea had some excellent chances to win it but Mucha was well up for it. And a free-kick given away on the edge of asrea right at the depth was harmlessly lofted over after Vaaughanm had earned himself a yellow card for arguing. A good point for the Shocking Pinks!

There wasn't much to worry either keeper early on, with a third minute free kick from Jose Baxter just missing Shane Duffy's outstretched leg. Ashley Hemmings and James Spray had a couple of tame efforts from distance for Wolves before the first real action of the game saw Adam Davies produce a great save from Nathan Rooney's vicious 24th minute volley.

James Wallace and Jose Baxter briefly threatened for the home side but Davies was down smartly to grab Sam Winnall's angled shot five minutes before the break. Gueye and Rooney had a chance apiece before the break as the watching David Moyes went into the tunnel to chat with Alan Stubbs.

Duffy headed a corner over ten minutes into the second half but the next meaningful attack five minutes later lead to a goal. Tom Donegan centred from the left, Gueye flicked it goalwards and after Aaron McCarney had saved excellently, Baxter lashed in the rebound. Joy soon turned to despair for Bootle-born Baxter though, as he was sent off for a second bookable offence with 72 minutes gone.

Wolves committed plenty of men forward but a curling free kick with five minutes to go was as close as they came to an equaliser before Everton struck on the counter. In the last minute Gueye raced clear and unselfishly fed McAleny who slotted home with ease. McAleny was sent off for a second bookable offence with 12 minutes left.

With Baxter and McAleny suspended, Everton named a side which included Phil Neville, Seamus Coleman, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu but they were unable to find an equaliser after the visitors took a first half lead.
A defensive mix-up between Shane Duffy and Iain Turner produced the only goal of the game at Finch Farm, Junior Stanislas scoring 26 minutes in.

Everton searched desperately for an equaliser but were denied on numerous occasions by Hammers goalkeeper Marek Stech. Jermaine Beckford was left particularly frustrated as he went close several times including a chip that was pushed on to the post.

Five of the seven players that started on the bench in Saturday's dramatic 3-3 draw with Manchester United were handed a start by Alan Stubbs, as the likes of Neville and Yakubu continued to increase their fitness after lay-offs and impress manager David Moyes, who watched on from the sidelines.

Neville started in the centre of midfield alongside promising youngster Ross Barkley, whilst Seamus Coleman and Magaye Gueye manned the touchlines in midfield.

Jose Baxter got the Toffees off to a good start by lashing home Mageye Gueye’s pass midway through the first half but the hosts hit back twice to lead before the interval.

Frenchman Gueye, a summer signing from Strasbourg, played on the left of a three-man midfield and showed plenty of ability on the ball.

“Magaye Gueye did really well for us,” Stubbs told evertonfc.com. “He was a bright spark and when he got the ball we looked like doing something. He made things happen and his attitude was first class.

“Jose Baxter was good at times and scored a good goal but otherwise it was a bit disappointing. We need to keep the ball better and be more confident in possession. We have now won one, drawn one and lost one but even in the defeat (against West Ham) we played well. We let our standards drop a little bit here and we need to do better next time. We want consistency.”

Joao Silva had already seen a goal ruled out for offside by the time the visitors took the lead on the half hour. Gueye exploited some ponderous defending to tee up Baxter who rifled home from outside the box. But back came Bolton and once a couple of chances had gone begging, Adam Blakeman levelled matters with a calm finish. The Trotters then took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Tope Obadeyi fired home from 20 yards with Everton keeper Ian Turner left with no chance.

The second half was scrappier with both sides missing chances. For Everton, Ross Barkley fired over from the edge of the box while Gueye and Baxter also went close. Full-back Aristote Nsiala was then red carded after picking up a second booking.

Stubbs added: “Even after the red card we had chances, but we can’t have too many complaints. I would have taken a draw having the seen how the game went but we certainly did not do enough to win.”

Everton Reserves slipped to a third consecutive defeat as a goal 12 minutes from time gave West Brom reserves a 2-1 victory at the Stobart Stadium. The visitors had taken the lead early in the second half before Jose Baxter’s quick fire equaliser. But the game was decided with a smart goal on the counter attack.

Many of the reserves regulars were unavailable for the Blues with the likes of Shane Duffy, Magaye Gueye and Ross Barkley on international duty.
The most experienced name in the hosts side was Baxter. Manager Alan Stubbs handed a debut to 16-year-old full-back Tyias Browning and was happy with the way he played.

Skipper for the night Baxter went close with Everton’s first two opportunities of the night as they made a promising start.
West Brom’s first real opportunity came 24 minutes in, with a long ball forward, but their striker was crowded out by Nsiala and Jake Bidwell and his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Just a minute later, Albion had the perfect opportunity to hit the front from the penalty spot after Iain Turner was adjudged to have brought down James Hurst.
Sam Mantom was given the responsibility from the spot, but Turner guessed the right way.

But parity didn’t last much longer after the break as Albion took the lead. An initial effort was well blocked by Bidwell but the rebound dropped into the path of Sawyers who hit a low shot past Turner.
Everton’s response was almost instant, as they drew level on 49 minutes. A sweeping counter attack led to Nathan Craig’s low cross being comfortably converted by the impressive Baxter.

Just after the hour Craig was replaced as Alan Stubbs introduced Conor McAleny to the action.
But West Brom introduced Elford-Aliyu and he nodded home the winner.
Everton’s second substitution of the night saw striker Kieran Agard return from a long lay-off.

Everton started well with Magaye Gueye looking particularly lively, sending in a tricky cross and then a sliced effort on goal 12 minutes in. It took the visitors a while to get going but when they did their first chance was swiftly followed by the opening goal. Robbie Weir stung the fingers of Iain Turner with a decent long range effort and then a minute later the Black Cats were ahead when Cook nodded in David Healy's left wing centre.

Everton's best chance of parity before the break came on 40 minutes when Jose Baxter fed James Wallace only for Scottish international keeper Craig Gordon to smother his low effort. Coach Alan Stubbs tried to change things at the break and threw on Kieran Agard to add pace to the frontline. The striker was continuing his return from a serious knee injury and sent a curling effort a yard or so over the bar 10 minutes into the second period.

Hope Akpan headed straight at Gordon with 20 minutes left but Baxter's wild effort was Everton's only other effort on goal before the end. Instead Adam Reed again tested Turner late on, with the Blues number three keeper standing firm to ensure it stayed just 1-0.

Jack Rodwell and Victor Anichebe made their long-awaited returns to action as Everton reserves thrashed Blackpool 5-0 yesterday. The pair, who have both been out injured for lengthy spells, figured in the convincing win over the Seasiders’ second-string at Finch Farm.A watching David Moyes will also have been heartened by an impressive performance from striker Jermaine Beckford, who produced plenty of clever running and a smart finish in the rout.

Summer signing Beckford is yet to notch his first Premier League goal, but shone during the rain-soaked match, which also featured a well-taken brace from young striker Jose Baxter, plus goals for French starlet Magaye Gueye and sub Hope Akpan.

Rodwell, who has been missing since he was injured in a tackle with Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock at Villa Park in August, played an hour of the victory while, Anichebe, 22, who has yet to feature since pre-season, enjoyed a 20-minute cameo.

Everton's array of quality in the final third showed right from kick off and after just two minutes Jermaine Beckford narrowly failed to connect with Nathan Craig's inviting left wing cross. But Everton didn't have to wait much longer for the game's opening goal. Magaye Gueye peeled away to the left flank and his low near post cross was diverted past Mark Halstead by 18-year-old Jose Baxter who arrived just ahead of Beckford to give the Blues an early lead.

After eight minutes Blackpool forced the first corner of the game after good work by left winger Tom Barkhuizen. Barkhuizen cut inside past Tyias Browning, but defender Shkodran Mustafi came across for the Blues to block his effort.

Just before the quarter hour Everton were close to doubling their lead as both strikers went close. A neat bit of skill by Beckford created some space and his long range drive was only parried by Halstead. The ball dropped straight to Gueye but the French U-21 star couldn't convert from close range.

Barkhuizen was proving to be the main threat to Alan Stubbs’ side’s aspirations of winning the game and mid-way through the first half Adam Davies had to make a good low save as Barkhuizen beat Tyias Browning at the back post. After half time Everton came out strongly and central midfielder James Wallace burst forward on 47 minutes only to be denied by Halstead low to his left.

Everton soon scored a second goal after more good work from Beckford. The striker twisted and turned before testing Halstead, and the goalkeeper pushed it straight into the path of Gueye who this time made no mistake. By now the Blues were rampant and it didn't take them long to make it 3-0. Beckford gave Halstead no chance with a good low finish from just inside the Blackpool penalty area.

And Anichebe was quickly involved, laying on the fourth goal for Baxter. Akpan added a fifth, and just before full time Anichebe shot too close to Halstead.

The Blues were handed the perfect start to the game just five minutes in when Jose Baxter's free kick was headed into the far corner of the net by centre back Shkodran Mustafi at the back post. Everton's opener appeared to spark Arsenal into life, and young midfielder Craig Eastmond was the architect of much of the Gunner's attacking play.

Arsenal provided a warning of what was to come 23 minutes into the game when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas struck the post.Eastmond's cross was well directed, but Emmanuel-Thomas could only prod the ball on to the woodwork.But three minutes later Emmanuel-Thomas did find the net. The midfielder nipped in ahead of James Wallace to put Arsenal level.

On 40 minutes Emmanuel-Thomas nearly turned provider when he burst past 16-year-old defender Tyias Browning only for Giles Sunu to blaze over from inside the six yard box.

Two minutes into the second half Arsenal took the lead from a set piece when Chuks Aneke climbed above Mustafi to power Oguzhan Ozyakup's corner into the roof of the net. On 52 minutes Arsenal went further ahead when Emmanuel-Thomas scored his second of the afternoon. A neat piece of skill took him past Luke Garbutt, and his low shot nestled in the corner of the net.

Just after the hour mark Arsenal registered from another corner to complete the scoring. Havard Nordtveit headed home for 4-1. Everton came back into the game after the fourth goal, and twice went close to reducing the deficit. Mid-way through the second half Jose Baxter did well to create some space for himself, only for his shot to cannon off the bottom of the post.

Kieran Agard then thought he'd scored his first goal since returning from injury but the referee adjudged that his effort had not crossed the line.

Kieran Agard, continuing his comeback from knee problems, tested Martin Hansen inside the first minute with a low effort and not long after a superb tackle from Jake Bidwell denied Nathan Eccleston as he bore down on goal. Victor Anichebe was increasingly the focal point of the home side's attacks but when he was scythed down by Jack Robinson while in full flow, his angry reaction earned him a yellow card.

Then Liverpool took the lead in the 21st minute after Pachecho dinked home following a quick free kick. But Everton hit back in ideal fashion with that man Anichebe prodding in from close range after good work by Magaye Gueye. The Frenchman was then himself denied by a deflection after another raid down the right flank.

Agard's point blank shot was somehow blocked away for a corner after the half hour with Jose Baxter lashing wide from the ensuing set-piece. Liverpool were under pressure and almost conceded an own goal, with busy custodian Hansen soon repelling Anichebe's drive from range. Gueye sent in a tame header just after half time but his left foot stinger from the edge of the box five minutes later was much more challenging for the keeper.

Liverpool continued to look dangerous though, and sub Michael Ngoo hit the bar after Eccleston had played him in just before the hour.Gueye headed wided from a corner and soon Anichebe was marauding forward again, winning a free-kick and sending a curling effort just wide after 72 minutes.

It wasn't all one way traffic though as Pachecho tested Turner with a powerful angled effort before play switched to the other end and new man Conor McAleny shot narrowly wide from Gueye's cross. Both sides could even have won it in the last five minutes but both had to settle for a point.

Everton's Reserves had an afternoon to forget as they lost 5-1 to Blackburn Rovers at Finch Farm. Alan Stubbs' side were never able to recover from conceding three first half goals as Rovers dominated large periods of the game. The one bright spot for Everton was a first Blues goal for young Greek forward Apostolos Vellios on his first appearance for the Club.

Tony Hibbert and Jan Mucha were both involved for the hosts but they were unable to prevent defeat against a Blackburn side inspired by January signings Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina. Blackburn opened the scoring in the sixth minute when a Josh Morris cross took a massive deflection and looped over Mucha into the top corner. It was a huge slice of good fortune for the visitors - but they led nonetheless.

Mucha then made a brave block from Andy Parry, before Adam Forshaw drilled a shot wide on 11 minutes. Everton looked to get back on level terms and Hallam Hope was almost played in soon after but his touch was too heavy and ran through to Blackburn 'keeper Jake Kean. But on 18 minutes it was Rovers that got the game's second goal, with Formica smashing home a right wing corner leaving Mucha with no chance.

Everton then had a good passage of play and Hallam Hope forced Kean into a sharp save with a low curling effort from the edge of the box. Four minutes before the break things got worse for Everton as Morris's free kick was headed home by Matthew Pearson from close range to complete a miserable first half for the Blues.

Everton tried to cut the advantage soon after half time, working the ball into the channels and looking to get crosses in but Hope's looping header on 50 minutes was easy for Kean. On 54 minutes Blackburn scored their fourth goal of the afternoon, and it was one Mucha could do nothing about. Rochina found some space 30 yards from goal and rifled a beautifully struck right footed drive into the top corner.

Just after the hour Alan Stubbs introduced youngsters Gerard Kinsella and Jordan Barrow in place of Hibbert and Hope to try and engineer an upturn in fortunes for the Blues. On 68 minutes Kinsella did have an opportunity to test Kean after a mistake from Rovers full-back Adam Henley but the Blues substitute sliced his effort wide of the post.Kean was called into action four minutes later when Nathan Craig's corner was headed goalwards by Hope Akpan - but his effort was too close to really test the Rovers keeper.

On 74 minutes Blackburn scored their fifth of the afternoon with both Formica and Rochina heavily involved again, they exchanged passes before playing in Michael Potts who unleashed a low shot into the far corner of Mucha's goal. Everton did get some consolation on 77 minutes when Vellios scored his first goal in an Everton shirt, the striker doing well to onvert Craig's left wing centre.

The final period was something of a non-event with the result of the game in no doubt and Rovers quite happy to let Everton have the ball as they recorded a very comfortable victory.

Sunderland almost went ahead inside the first minute but Everton centre-back Aristote Nsaila was on the goal-line and used his chest to keep out Matthew Fletcher’s powerful shot. Billy Knott nearly made Everton keeper Connor Roberts pay for a misplaced clearance but his 35-yard shot sailed just over.

At the other end, the woodwork came to Sunderland’s rescue in the 19th minute when a free-kick from Jose Baxter found Shane Duffy inside the penalty area, but his header hit the bar and went over. Sunderland’s academy keeper Lewis King made a good save from Hope Akpan, but the Everton midfielder then collided with Black Cats centre-back Dan Madden, who came off worst and had to go off with a shoulder problem. But, while temporarily down to 10 men, Sunderland went ahead.

Noble was in on goal inside the penalty area but was sent sprawling by Jordan Barrow, and referee Richard Clark pointed to the penalty spot. Barrow was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity, while Noble picked himself up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot and find the bottom right-hand corner.

Everton sub Jake Bidwell missed a golden chance to level the game with two minutes left, and his miss was punished in the final minute when Sunderland broke through Noble and he played the ball to his left to Lynch, who cut inside and curled home a low right-foot shot.

The Toffees took the lead with the game's first meaningful attack on 13 minutes. Apostolos Vellios was well placed to bundle home Magaye Gueye's cutback from close range despite attempts to scramble it clear. It was Gueye who continued to be the away side's best outlet, with his left wing cross only cleared as far as Jose Baxter who sliced wide from 20 yards.

But, from there on in, Villa seized control. Shkohdran Mustafi almost headed in to his own net from Harry Forrester's teasing left wing cross. For teh hime side, Graham and Forrester caused a whole host of problems for Everton right-back Aristote Nsiala and the duo combined in the build-up to Villa's 34th minute equaliser.

Having collected Graham's lay-off, Forrester motored towards goal and looked to slide a low effort across the keeper from a tight angle. Barton kept the ball in play at the far post before cutting back to second string debutant Juan Serrano, who pivoted and fired home from close range.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and would have gone in at the break with a bigger advantage but for two fine saves from Connor Roberts. Firstly, the Everton keeper thwarted Forrester from a tight angle, before pushing away an acrobatic overheard kick from Gary Gardner. And with seconds left in the first-half, Forrester's low curling drive cannoned off the foot of the post.

The momentum remained with Villa after the break. Juan Serrano hooked a left-foot volley goalwards which Roberts held, while Gardner and Salifou both shot inches off target from the edge of the box. For Everton, Vellios tested Elliot Parish with an ambitious 45-yard volley which the keeper kept his eye on to make a comfortable catch. And Ellis Deeney made a superb sliding block to take Baxter's left wing cut-back out of Gueye's path.

But the Frenchman had the last laugh, latching on to a through ball from Baxter in the third minute of stoppage time before rounding Parish and finishing from the tightest of angles.

Alan Stubbs' side created the majority of chances but goals from Ricardo Rochina and Micah Evans cancelled out Apostolos Vellios's third goal for the Blues' second string. Everton started the game particularly strongly and were unlucky not to be ahead before Rochina gave Blackburn the lead.

On 17 minutes Everton worked a short corner well and Adam Forshaw's curling effort came back off the crossbar. Eight minutes later the Blues had the ball in the net as they threatened again from a corner. Shane Duffy headed home, but the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was adjudged to have fouled Andy Parry and the goal was disallowed.

Just before the half hour Blackburn took the lead against the run of play when Rochina fired home from the edge of the penalty area. Everton twice came close to going level before half time but Mark Bunn did well to deny both Forshaw and Vellios.

The Blues began the second period as they finished the first, and Forshaw was unlucky not to score from close range. But soon after the visitors were level - an extended spell of pressure ended in Vellios converting from inside the penalty area.

On the hour mark, Blackburn restored their advantage and scored what proved to be the winning goal. The goal came courtesy of a direct approach, as within seconds of Mark Bunn clearing, the ball was in the Everton net. Bunn's clearance was flicked on by Mauro Formica and Micah Evans raced to clear to score. The second goal seemed to deflate Everton and they couldn't find a way back into the game.

Everton started brightly with Greek youth international Apostolos Vellios testing Martin Hansen inside two minutes. With both sides struggling to make much impression in the final third it took something special to break the deadlock in the 17th minute. Forshaw picked up possession 25 yards out and curled a stunning strike past Hansen.

Everton suffered a setback on the half hour mark after Jose Baxter went down in agony. The England Under-19s international, who was due to face Holland in Amsterdam next Tuesday, was clearly distressed as he was taken off and replaced by Thomas Donegan.

The Reds wasted the chance to equalise when Steven Irwin lashed well wide and they were made to pay three minutes before the break as the ball broke to McAleny who fired an unstoppable shot past Hansen. In first half stoppage time Liverpool should have halved the deficit after Aristote Nsiala was adjudged to brought down Jack Robinson in the box. However, Roberts' spot-kick was weak and keeper Connor Roberts comfortably kept it out.

Liverpool were transformed in the second half. Suso, substitute Toni Silva and Irwin all went close before the Reds' pressure finally told in the 58th minute. Suso unleashed a low 20 yarder which gave Roberts no chance and the hosts continued to press. Seven minutes later Liverpool were level. Saric turned smartly in the box and fired across Roberts and into the far corner.

The Reds sensed victory but a third goal proved elusive. Thomas Ince lifted a shot on to the roof of the net before Roberts produced a fine save to thwart Silva. Ince could have won it in stoppage time for the Reds but his control let him down in the box and they had to settle for a point.

Everton travelled to the northeast for their sixth game of the month (that's one-third of their entire season!) with an Academy side that included no senior player.

The Barcodes went into a 2-0 lead inside 15 mins but Conor McAleny pulled a goal back on the half-hour. And that's how the match finished, with Everton firmly bottom of the Northern Group B in the FA Premier Reserve League.

Just two minutes into the game Everton tried to capitalise on some sloppy goalkeeping by Josh Welsby. The Wigan 'keeper's poor clearance went to straight to McAleny, but his low cross just evaded the onrushing Vellios. Wigan's main threat came courtesy of McManaman and on 19 minutes he strode through midfield and lashed a right footed shot inches wide of James Fitzgibbon's right hand post.

The home side's best player was McAleny, often his quick feet allowed him into the Wigan penalty area but he was unable to produce a telling ball to go with his neat skill. Five minutes before the break Welsby was called into the first real save of the game. Nathan Craig connected with a left wing corner but his header was too close to the Wigan goalkeeper who parried the ball away. Soon after that Fitzgibbon was also in action, Jordan Mustoe's header deflected off Nsiala and bounced kindly for the Blues number one.

After the break Wigan were first to show, Fitzgibbon dealing well with McManaman's effort that arrived at a difficult height. On 57 minutes the Latics opened the scoring, and it was no surprise that McManaman was the man to find the net. The referee appeared to get in Everton's way from a free-kick and Jordan Rugg fed McManaman who poked the ball bast Fitzgibbon. But the visitors weren't ahead for long as Everton's shining light McAleny scored an excellent goal to make it 1-1. McAleny cut in from the right flank, jinked past a couple of defenders and struck a low shot past Welsby to put the Blues back on level terms.

Just six minutes later Wigan had re-established their lead as the game finally opened up. Latics captain Daniel Redmond worked the ball on to his left foot and found the top corner from 20-yards out. Everton still had a quarter of the game to try and find an equaliser but they didn't really trouble Welsby until the 85th minute. Forshaw tried his luck from a free kick but the Wigan goalkeeper made a comfortable save away to his left.

Victor Anchebe opened the scoring on the half-hour when he raced onto a throughball behind right back Chris Basham and lobbed keeper Paul Rachubka. Neat finish, though Rachubka might have been wiser staying on his line.

Then, seconds after the contest had restarted, Adam Forshaw increased the advantage when he latched onto a right wing cross and despite scuffing his shot a little, the ball ended up in the bottom corner.

Blackpool pulled a goal back 15 minutes from the end when Chris Basham headed in after good work by Billy Clarke on the left. n goal. Louis Almond, back from a successful loan stint at Barrow, also tested keeper Adam Davis with a decent effort.

Tom Donegan’s extra-time goal proved decisive as a youthful Everton side beat AFC Marine to book a place in the last four of the Liverpool Senior Cup. The midfielder raced clear of the home defence to coolly beat the keeper following a tightly-contested tie at a rain-soaked Arriva Stadium.

Having ridden their luck at times in the second half, fresh-faced Everton – made up of the Club’s under-17s & 18s – battled through 90 goalless minutes before finding a winner just as the prospect of penalties loomed large. The Blues had earlier just about edged a first half largely devoid of goalmouth action. But the solitary passage of quality football on display very nearly saw them take the lead. Anton Forrester’s astute link-up play saw Femi Orenuga put in down the right. The winger skinned his man and pulled a perfect ball back for the onrushing John Lundstram.

The midfielder did everything right in trying to steer a low shot into the corner of the net and only a very sharp save from Marine keeper Ryan McMahon kept the scoresheet blank. A couple of pot-shots from range were all the hosts had mustered, but they were to improve greatly in the second half.

Marine were enjoying the better of the chances but the Blues stuck to their task and Jake Bidwell’s mazy run and shot wasn’t far away from deciding the tie in normal time. As it was, the visitors had to wait until the 104th minute for the breakthrough as substitute Luke Dobie and Forrester combined to set up Donegan to clinch victory.

The weather conditions were not good with a slight wind and rain making the playing surface a slippery one. Both teams fielded strong sides which meant that they were taking this game very seriously. Liverpool had players like Danny Wilson and Stephen Darby who had experienced Champions League football with Rangers and Liverpool respectively and also Thomas Ince and David Amoo who had played league football for Notts County. For Everton, Shane Duffy had recently had a taste of league football with Championship outfit Burnley and James Wallace having loan spells at Stockport and Bury.

There were a couple of interesting spectators in Paul Ince and David Weir who were willing to sign autographs for the fans and are still fondly remembered as players on Merseyside.

The game got underway with Everton attacking the end facing the academy building and playing a 4-4-2 with Baxter and McAleny leading the Blues line.
The game started quite brightly with, as you would expect, free kicks being conceded early on with players hungry for a victory and, as always, the importance of this fixture. Everton got off the mark as early as the 5th minute when they were awarded a free kick from the right-hand side for a foul and it was taken by Jose Baxter from around 30 yards out. The ball was delivered to the far post and Eric Dier, who will be finishing his loan spell and returning back to Sporting Lisbon, hoisted himself in the air and met it with a forceful header to put the visitors one up. Not long after, another free kick for the Blues was taken by Baxter and met this time by Duffy who failed to trouble Chamberlain in the Reds' goal.

As you would expect, a response from the home side was on the cards as Liverpool seemed to threaten down our right-hand side with Ince playing the ball inside to Jesus Fernandez whose effort was too deep. On 13 minutes, Eccleston received a nice pass whose shot crisply whistled passed the right-hand post with Davies having it covered anyway.
There was an injury scare as James Wallace went down under a challenge from Ince and treatment was required immediately. The game was held up for around 3 minutes and Wallace left the field to have further treatment as the Reds sportingly restarted the game with a pass back to Davies.
Wallace returned to the game but it was short-lived and he was replaced as it was clear the ankle injury had forced him out of it; he was replaced by Gerrard Kinsella.

Baxter was creative with his enthusiasm by taking the Blues on another attack, only being foiled on the edge of the area. There was a good fair contest in midfield played in good spirits and tackles by Kinsella and Bidwell showed how much they wanted this win, with Liverpool also doing the same.

Dier gave away free kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Ince 20 minutes into the game which was taken by Gomis Mendy then David Amoo was in the right place for the home team to level the tie at 1-1.
Everton felt hurt by conceding the equaliser and Bidwell stretched his legs down the left with a strong run to cross the ball to McAleny who came very close to restoring the lead for the Toffees but couldn't manage to connect. Everton had the bit between their teeth as Forshaw laid a long ball through to Hope Akpan but he was thwarted by Kohlert who conceded the free kick which the blues wasted.

25 minutes and a nice fine pass to Ince who seemed to be called upon quite a lot hit a delightful ball inches narrowly wide of the right-hand post and a sigh of relief could be felt from the Blue corner. This game was anybody's with end-to-end action and feisty challenges in midfield; considering the fine rain that fell, both teams were not afraid of knocking the ball about. Again, Amoo was involved in a nice Liverpool move 60 seconds later and another effort went wide.

The half-hour approached and Duffy played an ambitious pass out wide on the right to Baxter who was having a fine game and justifying his Reserves Player of the Year award from the night before getting involved again with McAleny and returning the ball back to Baxter who got outfoxed by the Reds defence. Ten minutes remained in the half as Ince again ran through unchallenged by the Everton defence and a shot was delivered tamely into the arms of Davies. Another effort, this time from Kohlert, was just over as the home side wanted to get level before the break but didn't succeed. Five minutes remained of the first period when Dier tried again with a delivery taken from a Baxter free kick but he couldn't repeat what he had done in the first half by adding to his tally as Liverpool's defence held out and cleared the Everton threat.

Baxter was really standing out in the Blues' ranks and Bidwell's pace against his opposite number was making things uncomfortable for Gomis Mendyas. Again, a good ball over to Jose was only inches away. The ref had to lecture Baxter this time for use of his elbows as the ball was to be had in a challenge in Liverpool's half as the half was drawing to a close but there was nothing vindictive in his play and the game carried on.
The Reds pushed forward to level before the break and won a series of corners but the Blues defence held out and another 3 added minutes were played for the injury to Wallace

Half-time: Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton

No changes at the break as the rain continued to fall and the first real chance of the second period fell to Liverpool whose Number 9 Ecclestone went on a surging run on 50 minutes to set up Roberts but again nothing worried the visitors.
Roberts had an effort inches over the bar from a pass received from ex-Rangers man Danny Wilson and Everton seemed to be living a little dangerously at this point. Forshaw played an important role a couple of times early in this half as he seemed to be in the right place at the right time to save Everton's blushes with some good tackles as they were under a bit of sustained pressure and worked hard to ensure Everton didn't fall behind,. Ince tried his luck with a fall just outside the box as another attack threatened and Ince looking very disappointed not to receive a free kick which wasn't given and rightly so.

Just over the hour mark, Baxter put the Blues ahead with a fine move and strike which involved the busy and determined Bidwell supplying the ammunition to get the blues in front. Ecleston made a run and was played through by the sub only to be foiled by an offside flag. Amoo this time was set on a run but a good solid display from Bidwell made sure the threat was cleared and conceded the corner taken by Amoo which caused no problems as the ball came into the Everton penalty area.

Everton put the game to bed on 68 minutes with a fine move involving Duffy and a crisp finish from Hope Akpan who struck a lovely shot inside the box, giving Chamberlain no chance in the hosts' goal.
Liverpool were not prepared to throw the towel in and won a free kick but the effort from Ince again from 30 yards managed to enter the car park behind the goal.
Everton brought on Lundstram for Garbutt with 13 minutes remaining but the best goal of the game came after some nice one-touch passing involving Akpan, Baxter, Forshaw and again back to Baxter with an exquisite goal to send Everton to the final.

Liverpool were seeing this game out and time was against them; they pressurised the visitors with a string of corners and attacks and Browning had to be on his toes to snuff out a good run by Eccleston. Everton were looking for another and nearly made it 5 only for a move combining McAleny AND Baxter who would be disappointed that his tame effort fell into Chamberlain's midrift. Akpan received a yellow card near the end of the game for a late challenge but, as much as the home side tried to restore some pride, the game was beyond them.

The added minutes seemed like an age but when the final whistle came nobody could have any complaints about the scoreline which did not flatter Everton in any way at all.
Jose Baxter was the man of the match with an excellent display and some decent contenders such as Bidwell, McAleny and Forshaw. Dier and Duffy looked a good strong partnership and took
everything in their stride.

Everton will now play Southport in the final at Haig Avenue, probably during pre-season.

The Liverpool Senior Cup was moved to 2011 pre-season due to fixture congestion. Southport had not won this competition since 1999; Everton had won back in 2007 when they defeated Marine. The Sandgrounders had two ex-Everton players in their ranks: John Paul Kissock and Scott Spencer.

Everton kicked off attacking the home end, playing with a 4-5-1 formation and Joao Silva as a lone striker. Only 90 seconds into the game, Southport’s Andy Owens took a long throw in front of the main stand and Karl Ledsham got onto a header without any challengefrom Everton’s defence to send a looping header over Mateus Taudul, the recently signed Polish 'keeper. Everton were surprised by this first attack and a few times Everton’s defenders played the ball back to the keeper who looked troubled by this, his confidence looked shaky.

The home side doubled their lead on 8 minutes when they were awarded a free kick for a foul on Ledsham 30 yards from goal. Ex Everton player Kissock drove the ball from distance which went into the left hand side of the net to give Taudul no chance and Everton’s hopes were severely dented. The visitors tried to settle down and find some rhythm and a pass from Jose Baxter found Silva but somehow helost his footing and any hopes of an Everton threat were dashed.

On 11 minutes, Baxter again collected the ball deep into his half from Forshaw and went on a run down the right and was brought down by Shaun Whalley to give Everton a free kick which Baxter took but unfortunately hit the Southport wall who stood strong. On another Blues attack, Baxter switched a pass to Garbutt playing on the left but the pace of the ball was too much for him which resulted in a Southport throw.

Tyias Browning swept a ball out to the left on 14 minutes which looked a promising move but Mr A Jackson raised his flag for offside . 60 seconds later, another Baxter free kick from the right was collected by the untroubled McMillan in the home goal. Southport always looked like the better of the two teams with Kissock pulling all the strings and orchestrating all Southport did. Another opportunity went by for the home team when Kissock again played a nice ball to Whalley who misread the situation and let Everton off the hook.

Eighteen minutes had gone on the clock when Bidwell won a free kick and took it from his own half; Baxter and Silva seemed to conjour up something between themselves only for the Souhtport defence to capitalise on Everton’s lack to finish and clear a rare attack. 3 Minutes later, Everton got another free kick when Garbutt was fouled. Baxter took the kick which looked to be going to the head of Duffy but McMillan beat him to the ball with a strong punch.

Not long after, Silva again was played the ball by Baxter but clumsily lost it and frustration was clear. Southport came at the Toffees again on 24 minutes when Moogan the home captain knocked a ball across from the left along the penalty area and Lundstram seemed to move away from the ball which fell to full back James Smith but thankfully Shane Duffy snuffed out the threat. A free kick was awarded on 29 mins after forward Tony Gray was brought down on the edge of the box and Kissock fancied another which went narrowly wide.

Baxter was the only player who seemed to ignite a spark in the Everton midfield with any creativity but sometimes his passes just seemed to be too hard. A volley from Whalley never troubled Taudul but he did well with a comfortable catch from a corner from Whalley as the Sandgrounders tried to put this game to bed and seal victory. A good move from the visitors with 9 minutes remaining was started again by Baxter and involved Forshaw and Silva but McMillan parried and it fell again to Silva who put just over. The yellow card was shown to Silva for retaliating with Whalley as something had gone on under the referee’s nose.

5 minutes from the break Forshaw on the right played Silva in but even two attempts was not enough for a breakthrough and he got a corner instead which was taken by Garbutt but Mustafi failed to connect. Just before the break Lundstram went upfront to aid Silva and Everton went into a 4-4-2 and try and get something from a game which they never really deserved.

A minute before the break Duffy won a strong header from a Southport move and Tyias Browning showed his strength in the tackle winning a ball from his marker. On the stroke of half time Baxter’s free kick was high but well caught by McMillan.

Half Time: Southport 2 - 0 Everton

Southport made a change at half time by introducing Scott Spencer for the influential Kissock and it was Spencer who was played through but squandered a chance and put it past the left hand post. Taudul acrobatically made a two-handed punch from a cross from the right by Brown and on 55 minutes Hallam Hope replaced the hard working Barrow, while McGinn replaced Whalley.

Southport who didn’t seem to be the side they were in the first half, looked very ordinary as they attacked the Toffees from the right but the stocky and solid Bidwell blocked the attempt. A second chance came when the ball fell back into the oppositions path when a high cross was met by Ledsham whose header was trouble-free. Hope managed to win a corner for the visitors when Garbutt played a short corner to Forshaw whose delivery was met by the lively Hope but his effort was low and saved with ease again by McMillan.

With very little constructive attacking play, it was evident that any hope of a goal seemed unlikely and the damage seemed to have been done in the first eight minutes of the first half. On 61 minutes, Stubbs threw on Forrester for Garbutt who didn’t look too pleased at being substituted and words seemed to be exchanged as Garbutt made his way to the bench.

62 minutes and Mustafi stopped a good Southport move, and as Everton broke forward, Silva, who was poor, ambitiously tried his luck from 30 yards but McMillam made an easy save. 65 minutes had now gone and Bidwell’s cross into the box from a Silva pass was just too high for Hope to get on to. Southport made another change with 21 minutes remaining, replacing Andy Owens with Chris Lever. A long ball from Duffy on 77 minutes to the disappointing Silva was an easy catch again
for McMillan who had an untroubled afternoon and could have even gone to the beach for what he had to do.

There was to be no way back for Everton, Lundstram from 30 yards had a shot from distance which hit a Southport player on the back and yet another Everton substitute was introduced with a non-effective display from Silva, the Portuguese player going off when Adam Thomas entered the field of play, Thomas immediately going wide on the right with Forrester strengthening the front line with Hope. A poor back-pass from Duffy made Taudul react from his line and did not do much for his confidence but his clearance fell to a Southport player who hit it straight over the bar, thankfully for Taudul.

Chances were not clear-cut for the visitors and a free kick from Forshaw again was too high for Duffy. A chance again for Hope which again never troubled McMillan but was the best Everton could do with no result for their efforts. As the game wore on, Duffy had a header which sailed over and a rare Baxter effort was as good as it got with time approaching the last ten minutes.

On 89 mins, Spencer went through with a suspicion of offside but no flag was raised, only for Duffy to save Everton’s blushes with a good challenge. 2 added minutes was signalled but it was too late for anything to happen ans a very disappointing Everton display finally ended. The performance was very much below par and maybe their minds were still in Moscow from the previous week, although they were missing McAleny and Vellios, both on tour in the USA.

Everton Reserves were held to a 2-2 drew in their first pre-season outing of 2010 at Bangor City.

The Blues' second string came back from a two-goal deficit at half-time to end the game all square, thanks to goals from new Academy scholars Hallam Hope and Anton Forrester.

In the first half, James Brewerton and Sion Edwards were on the scoresheet for the hosts as the two sides entertained a crowd of over 700 fans at Farrar Road.

And at half-time Reserves boss Andy Holden made a number of substitutions which paid off during the second period.

Just a week after penning two-year scholarships at the Club, Hope netted a 30-yard screamer on 68 minutes to pull one back before Forrester's effort took a deflection to draw the Blues level five minutes later.

Everton's travelling line-up included Dutch youngster Bob Schepers on trial (although NOT according to the Everton Official Website!).

Clyde the lead before two minutes had been played when Marc McCusker ignored claims for offside to get on the end of a long ball on the right hand side of the Toffees' box. McCusker steadied himself before firing a diagonal drive low into the far corner with Adam Davies rooted to the spot. Everton should have been level within a minute when James Vaughan worked his way clear of the home defence, however he blasted tamely wide.

James Wallace showed great skill on the edge of the Clyde box in 37 minutes to create space for a left foot shot, however Hutchison got down low to his right to save. He was beaten two minutes later despite a heroic effort when he blocked a fierce drive from João Silva only for Ross Barkley to sidefoot home. The home side hit back a minute later when John Sweeney and Bryan Dingwall combined and striker Dingwall scored from eight yards.

Vaughan equalised when he took a pass from substitute Hope Akpan in his stride before firing in a low right-foot shot to bring Everton level on 64 minutes. The game slowed down after this as a total of 13 substitutes were made with Everton youngster Nathan Craig coming closest to a winner with a cheeky lobbed effort from 30 yards.

Another trialist, thought to be Andelko Savic (or possibly Stefan Savic), came on for Akpan with 10 mins to go... again, no word about him whatsoever on the Official Everton Website!!! It's as if he doesn't exist and the fans watching saw nobody!!!

In a match staged as part of Forfar's 125th anniversary celebrations, a crowd of 752 turned up to watch a highly entertaining ninety minutes in which the home side competed well for the most part with a skilful Everton Reserves side.

It was evident from early in the game that there is a fair amount of emerging talent at Goodison, the Toffee-men two goals ahead after only ten minutes. There was an element of fortune involved in the opener, the impressive Baxter sliding a good ball through to Hope Akpan who, with the aid of a slight deflection, managed to fire it under Euan McLean in the Forfar goal.

Two minutes later and another well-weighted through ball proved Forfar's undoing again. This time it was a Ross Barkley pass that found James Vaughan, who made no mistake. But Forfar were far from overawed and it was game on again in 15 minutes, Iain Campbell picking out Martyn Fotheringham, who controlled beautifully before angling the ball wide of the advancing keeper and in off the post.

Both teams played some really neat football thereafter, and the Forfar leveller came in simplistic fashion in the 57th minute. A corner from the right was flicked on by Chris Templemen for Paul Watson to drill low into the net.

Late in the game, the player who caught many eyes was Everton substitute Bob Schepers, who was lightning fast and tricky to boot.
Twice he sliced the Forfar defence wide open, on the first occasion his end shot only just clearning the bar. On the second, with three minutes left on the clock, he skipped clear of several defenders and slid the ball into the path of Jose Baxter, who made it three-two for the visitors on the night.

A capacity crowd turned up at the Showgrounds, Sligo last night to see the home side take on an Everton reserve side managed on the night by Alan Stubbs. The attendance may not have been nearly as big had supporters known the youthful makeup of the visiting squad, as the game had been billed as being against "Premier League" Everton. Sligo will no doubt have made money out of the fixture, but neither club will be gaining much new support with the weakened nature of the Everton squad on show.

Before kick-off there was a fitting tribute in remembrance of a former
legend of both clubs with the presentation of a replica of the Dixie
Dean statue which stands outside Goodison Park from Everton Football
Club to Sligo Rovers Football Club. The Everton side was captained by local hero Seamus Coleman who started his senior career with the Bit O'Red. However, Coleman only had a 14-minute cameo before being replaced by substitute Aristote Nsiala - a sure sign that the young Irishman must be part of David Moyes's plans for the opening fixture of the season next weekend away to Blackburn.

The game itself was not particularly memorable, with a more experienced Sligo Rovers getting to grips with their young opponents and deservedly gaining a 2-0 victory. The home side were also noticeably fitter and sharper by virtue of the fact that they are well into their season which started back in March. Scouser John Dillon gave Sligo the lead in the first half with a well taken goal against the team he has supported since he was a child. The impressive Romauld Boco, who also captains the Benin international team, finished the game as a contest when he scored in the
second half.

Shane Duffy made a welcome return to action for the first time since his horrific injury earlier in the year, and he seemed to have a good understanding with his central defensive partner Shkodran Mustafi. Everton created little in the way of chances, although Jose Baxter did look the most dangerous of the forward players. It's hard to judge on one performance, the best prospects out of this group seem to be Duffy, Akpan and Baxter.

A "youthful" Everton side was humbled by a "star-studded" Fulham XI that include Phillippe Senderos, reutrnuing from injkury. Everton were outplayed, scoring late from the penalty spot. No player details or the scorer's name have been llocated yet...